Let's see the defensive tackle prospects guys. I am not optimistic about any of the defensive tackles on our roster's progression. Maybe Robinson a little and Okam very little, but that's it. Okoye is a liability, and although he is only 22, he isn't progressing. Maybe I could believe in him if I saw constant, even slow progression. But it's not there.

This adds nothing to the thread, but one of my better girl friends (not an old girlfriend, just a friend who is a girl) from my hometown goes to OU and has dated McCoy off and on for the past year or two and I've met him a couple times. Big guy, big hands, seemed pretty nice. Never worked up enough backbone to ask him for an autograph, don't think my friend/his girlfriend would like that too much.

nice list TS, and I like those guys, it just leaves me with bile in my mouth when I realize we have to try and fill a need in that position...again.

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Pretty much my problem too. I'm dreading the thought of getting another DT in the first where it's really boom or bust. The back end of the defense needs help terribly and I hope this staff(assuming its still here) finally addresses the need early on.

Has anyone else noticed how quietly well Kyle McCarthy for the Irish has played real well? He's not Eric Berry but the guy has 3 games and 3 picks. One of which sealed a victory. Could be a second or third round steal.

Nebraska's Ndamukong Suh, 6'4" 302 lbs
Suh will be a stud. Speed, strength, agility, intelligence, he has it all. Probably the best DT I have seen coming out of college since I started paying attention (5 years). He is a top 5 pick for sure.

Oklahoma's Gerald McCoy, 6'4" 298 lbs
Another stud, and if this were any other year he would be the top DT prospect without a doubt. Again, size, speed, strength, its all there. Top 10 pick

Tier 1 1/2- Very Good Prospects

Syracuse's Arthur Jones, 6'3" 295 lbs
Jones does not nearly get the respect he deserves. I want to put him in the first group, but I worry that he looks so good because of his competition (Big East). Anyway, he is a legit player. Top 15 pick, very good against the run. He actually might be one of the best DT's for us because he is almost perfect for the NT spot.

Duke's Vince Oghobaase, 6'5" 305 lbs
Another player who does not get respect. Oghobaase is the real deal, despite what the internet people say. Just watch some Duke games and you will see why. He might not even go in the 1st, but I would be very happy if the Texans got him.

Tier 2- Good Prospects

North Carolina's Marvin Austin, 6'3" 305 lbs
Austin is an athletic freak, reports of 4.8 speed. His play needs to reflect that though, which is why I bump him down. Athletically he could be in the next tier, but I have not seen enough out of him to warrant it.

Georgia's Jeff Owens, 6'1" 306
A little shorter than one would like to see, he makes up for it in effort. More of a run stuffer than pass rusher, he has elite strength but marginal speed. 2nd rounder.

Florida's Lawrence Marsh, 6'4" 304 lbs
Marsh is one of the cogs in the vaunted Florida D. Spikes gets most of the recognition (and rightfully so) but Marsh is the one who keeps the big uglies off of him. He should stay in school, but if he declares he should go in the second.

Tier 3- Solid Prospects

Alabama's Terrence Cody, 6'4" 365 lbs
Eh. I am not as high on him as others, as many of you are no doubt aware. Cody is nothing more than a run stopper, a two down player at best. He gets by because of his immense size, that wont work in the pros. He has the talent of a third rounder, but will go in the first because of his bulk. BUST.

Penn State's Jared Odrick, 6'4" 298 lbs
Odrick may fit better as a 34 end. He is an unspectacular player, not much really to say. He does his job, and should be selected in the 2nd/3rd.

Wake Forest's Boo Robinson, 6'1" 295 lbs
Another shorter DT, Robinson is more a balanced player. He had a slow start to the season, but picked it up last week. Robinson should be a 3rd rounder, maybe 4th.

I think a distinction needs to be made between UT and NT. We need a NT/DT not an UT/DT. The only guys on these lists that are NT/DT are Terrence Cody, Ndamukong Suh, and Vince Oghobaase though I'm not real familiar with all of these guys. McCoy, and Jones are UT's like Amobi Okoye. I hope he's still around in the 2nd round, might be a late 1st rounder, but the guy I'd like to see the Texans go after in the 2nd is Vince Oghobaase. This guy has athleticism and the size and frame to easily handle another 20-25 lbs. without losing speed. I really hope that we don't target a DT in the 1st round, it's really getting old, going after D-linemen in the 1st round. Lets spread some of that talent around, it's desparately needed in the secondary.

I am looking forward to seeing Al Woods from LSU. He has all the tools to get it done, now its a matter of doing it. He has the potential to be a late round steal, but he needs to get his head into the game and just do it.

Also looking at Boo Robinson from Wake Forest. He is a Huge run stuffer that can push up the middle as well. Might be a potential role DT on obvious run situations. Potential 3rd-4th rounder now.

I cannot stomich the approach of throw another 1st rd. pick on the DL, can't. address this need in free agency as a top priority but not via the draft is just to hard to project players potential @ this position.

I would however be willing to invest for future purposes a 3rd/4th rd. pick. Would prefer someone already sound fundamentally from solid defensive program like Wake Forrest (Aaron Curry, Alphonso Smith & Chip Vaughn). Boo Robinson is now a Senior, his specialty is run stuffer, good quickness, smart & well coached. I think he would fit in nicely as a rotational player with good effort.

Not to de-rail the thread, but i think we need to get a safety in the 1st round...by any means reasonably necessary. If we pick at the same spot as we did last year, that's perfect for us to draft one.

I don't want another 1st round D-lineman, there are other holes on the team that could use some good talent as well. It's time to spread some of that talent around. Also whoever we pick in the 1st round is very dependent on whether or not Dunta returns next year or not. If Dunta returns then I'd like to see us go after a Safety like Morgan Burnett in the 1st round and then go after Boo Robinson in the 2nd or 3rd round. If Dunta leaves then we'll need to fill that spot right away with either Trevard Lindley or Joe Haden, cause none of our backup CB's are worth a damn. We could then go Safety in the 2nd round and possibly Boo Robinson in the 3rd or if he's gone then the best O-lineman available.

I don't want another 1st round D-lineman, there are other holes on the team that could use some good talent as well. It's time to spread some of that talent around. Also whoever we pick in the 1st round is very dependent on whether or not Dunta returns next year or not. If Dunta returns then I'd like to see us go after a Safety like Morgan Burnett in the 1st round and then go after Boo Robinson in the 2nd or 3rd round. If Dunta leaves then we'll need to fill that spot right away with either Trevard Lindley or Joe Haden, cause none of our backup CB's are worth a damn. We could then go Safety in the 2nd round and possibly Boo Robinson in the 3rd or if he's gone then the best O-lineman available.

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I don't look for any particular position at the moment.
We still have FA and possible trade(s) before the next draft.

But it's always good to know if a certain is available at our spot, is he worthy enough for us to go BPA?!?

I am looking forward to seeing Al Woods from LSU. He has all the tools to get it done, now its a matter of doing it. He has the potential to be a late round steal, but he needs to get his head into the game and just do it.

I cannot stomich the approach of throw another 1st rd. pick on the DL, can't. address this need in free agency as a top priority but not via the draft is just to hard to project players potential @ this position.

Pretty much, but you've got to do whatever it takes to get better up front.

Look at the Eagles. In 2005 they picked up DT Mike Patterson from USC in the 1st. In 2006 they picked up Broderick Bunkley from FSU in the 1st. They spent a 2nd on a DE in 2007.

Even though Patterson and Bunkley are starters who have played well, and are only 26, the Eagles still addressed DT in the 2008 draft. They picked up Trevor Laws from Notre Dame in the 2nd (their highest draft choice). They also took a DE in the 3rd.

I know it sucks to think we might have to go DT early, but we've got to get better up front. Whatever it takes.